Since last year, things are slowly going back to normal and many of us are returning to our offices as well. And we’re certainly missing our furry pals who would lie quietly at our feet, providing a comforting presence, while we slave away at our computers. We’re sure you would agree that leaving your pup behind is the hardest part of our working day.
It’s a good thing that National Take Your Dog to Work Day is
just around the corner. We celebrate it on the Friday following Father’s Day
and for 2022, it’s June 24. It’s not just the perfect excuse to take our pups
with us, it’s also a wonderful way to show off our favorite pet to our
co-workers.
How National Take Your Dog to Work Day Begun
Pet Sitters International is an educational association for professional pet sitters. And if you’re a dog owner who needs to find a reliable pet sitter or dog walker in your area, you can use PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator to find one – free of charge! PSI created the holiday in 1999 and this year will be the 24th year we’ll be celebrating this annual event. The aim is to encourage employees to bring their pets to work and experience the joys of working alongside them.
The days leading up to TYDTWD also celebrates cats and other pets, so non-dog owners can get a chance to participate and show off their pets during Take Your Pet to Work Week®. PSI founder and CEO Patti Moran believed that creating Take Your Dog to Work Day® would be a great opportunity to give back to the community from which pet sitters earn their living.
Pros and Cons of Bringing Your Dog to Work
Since Amazon’s first day, the company has always been a dog-friendly
workplace. Human employees go to work with as many as 7,000 dogs at any
given day! It’s safe to say that every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day for
Amazon employees. You’ll also find some of these adorable pups on Amazon’s error
404 pages.
So, why is it important for us to share our workspace with
our dogs? What are the pros of bringing them to work? We think it’s a wonderful
thing to work with our dogs around, but are there also any disadvantages of dogs
in the workplace?
Advantages of Dogs in the Workplace
For the fur parent who can’t leave their pups alone for long
periods of time, it’s inevitable to spend for doggy day care or a dog sitter
while they’re at work. Taking your pup to work with you eliminates this
additional expense. Plus, you don’t ever have to worry about how your furkid is
doing and rush home to feed or let your dog out and focus on your work instead.
Employers can look forward to increased employee performance.
Prolonged sitting can result in “foggy brain” and instead of being productive
at work, employees tend to slack off. Bringing your pup to work helps you take short
breaks when you take them out for pee breaks. Once you get back, your thoughts
are clearer and you’re able to work more efficiently.
When employees are allowed to take their furkids
to work with them, their employers can also expect a reduced employee turnover.
It’s a huge perk for employees if they can bring their dogs to their workplace.
Not all companie`s would allow pets in the workplace because of potential legal
issues. An employee who is also a pet owner who can’t leave their furkid at
home won’t likely give up that perk in the near future
Disadvantages of Dogs in the Workplace
But bringing your dog to work isn’t all fun and games—you need
to know the drawbacks of having furkids in the office. Like people, dogs may
not like every single dog or person they meet as well. A dogfight can happen
and not only will this be disruptive, but it can also ruin your relationship with
clients or co-workers.
Some of your co-workers might be allergic to animal fur. Allergens
can be found on clothing, carpets, and even on the walls. Pet dander can stay
for a long period of time, and this can cause mild or severe symptoms such as
swelling, itching, coughing, rashes, and a severe asthma attack. Some people
have trauma caused by a terrifying encounter with dogs, and others have cynophobia
(an extreme fear of dogs), so bringing a dog to work may not be a good idea if
you have co-workers who have phobias and allergies.
Bringing your furkid to work can also cause distractions at
the office. Young pups may get bored early in the day, and start whining,
barking, chewing on furniture, and roughhousing with both people and dogs.
Tips For Bringing Your Dog to the Office
A lot of companies are now allowing dogs in the office, and your
office might be one of them. Before you bring your furkid to work, you need to
prep them for the day.
- Your dog’s personality matters! Some breeds are just not meant to stay still and be quiet the whole day. Timid dogs and pups who have symptoms of anxiety can also benefit from Pawstruck Calming Support Soft Chews. Aside from exercise and training, dog calming chews can help your dog relax.
- Exercise is a must, especially if you have young or highly active dogs. They need a lot of exercise to tire them out and help them stay still for long periods at work.
- Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations. It’s not just for their own good, but for the safety of your co-workers and their pups as well.
- The last place you’d want your pup to eliminate is at your workplace. So, it’s important to bring a potty-trained pup
- Pack the essentials! Bring toys and treats to keep them occupied and entertained during your work hours. Make sure to pack all-natural, long-lasting dogs treats and toys that won’t disrupt co-workers.
A dog-friendly workplace is certainly bark-worthy! Are you allowed to bring your dogs to work? Do you have additional tips for our readers? Please share your wonderful experiences bringing your pup to your workplace in the comments section below.
